Pulmonary Vein Anomalies of Left Atrium - A Descriptive Cadaveric Study

BACKGROUND

Catheter extirpation is the currently followed practice in the treatment of atrial contractile dysfunction. This is one of the recent developments in the management of atrial fibrillation. Since the mechanism and progression of the contractility of the atrium is to be assessed through continuous monitoring process, left atrial ablation with the catheter has been found to be an essential treatment option for individuals having arrhythmia especially the atrial abnormal heart rhythm. The technique of atrial ablation needs various solitude markings and fixed landmarks; moreover, the whole process needs conscientious anatomical accomplishment of the chambers of the heart. We wanted to determine the incidence of pulmonary vein absence in cadavers, determine the predominant side of pulmonary vein absence and observe the associated lung lobe anomalies. Most of the available studies are radiological and this study was in cadavers.

METHODS

This was a descriptive study. 77 adult cadaveric hearts were studied with regard to draining pattern of the pulmonary veins. Moreover, the patterns of fissures of the lungs were included as associated findings.

RESULTS

3 hearts were associated with the single unilateral pulmonary veins on the left side of the left atrium. Corresponding left lungs were characteristically without fissures both oblique and horizontal.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the importance of the anatomy of left atrium, importantly about the pulmonary veins since it is associated with pulmonary hypertension, haemoptysis etc. Moreover, it will be a useful guide in cardiac arrhythmia for the catheter ablation, pneumonectomy, etc.